Whats all this BS about the BS degree?

[rumpletumbler]

What is the big deal about a BS degree? Or is it a big deal? I would wager that I who sometimes BS in fun don't have a BS degree but that I am more educated than most who do have a BS degree and may or may not BS. This of course is irrelevant if all that person who is hiring wants is the degree. If getting a good job requires it then I’ll have to do it but what a waste of time. Since it will be a while before I can get a job that might require a degree I thought I’d ask now. At 41 I better start now if I'm going to.

RT

 

[banned username 2]

Yes, as irrelavent as it may seem, a 4 year college degree is required for MOST good flying jobs (Major Airlines, Large Corporate Operators)

Like the ads say "Don't leave home without it!"

 

[TIMP]

Rumpletumbler,

Not trying to be harsh, but if you carry that attitude around about the worth of a college education then you will be in for some hard times.

Keep in mind that a company has to sort through several thousand applications in order to select the few prospects they need. A college degree is a good discriminator, among many others, which can give the company a small hint that the individual is somewhat dedicated and well rounded. It's not 100%, but does give some insight into the person. You don't have a college education and, unfortunately, it shows in your post.

Coming from the military (a good environment for a case study between those who have a degree and those who don't) I can tell you flat out that there is a significant difference between the overall intelligence of "Officers (all have college degrees) compared to "enlisted soldiers (who mostly do not have degrees). It's night and day, my friend. And you can't fight it.

I suggest if you do not have one then it will only serve you well to get one.

Timp

 

[dmspilot00]

I would wager that I who sometimes BS in fun don't have a BS degree but that I am more educated than most who do have a BS degree and may or may not BS. This of course is irrelevant if all that person who is hiring wants is the degree. If getting a good job requires it then I’ll have to do it but what a waste of time.
RT

Most certainly you are not more educated than a person who has more education; that is preposterous. You can't even type a sentence that makes sense. If English isn't your native language, I apologize.

 

[Chunk]

Coming from the military (a good environment for a case study between those who have a degree and those who don't) I can tell you flat out that there is a significant difference between the overall intelligence of "Officers (all have college degrees) compared to "enlisted soldiers (who mostly do not have degrees). It's night and day, my friend.

Before I respond to the above, take a look at it again, TIMP. Sounds pretty condescending, dontcha think?

Chunk <---Apparently, an idiot....at least according to TIMP

 

[rumpletumbler]

Education doesn't come from a college. You don't really believe that everyone who didn't go to college isn't educated do you? I would say that the vast majority is not but there are many that are much more educated than those with college degrees are. As for the military I can understand that as my dad's favorite day of the year is the day he was discharged from the service. He often tells stories of the sub human life forms he encountered among the enlisted men. I’m sure that is at least partially a sweeping generalization and I am appreciative of the job they do. As for being more or less educated I don’t just think I’m more educated than most folks with a college degree are, I know that I am. There isn’t a shred of doubt about it. I don’t think that your level of education is the requirement. You can be dumber than a bag of rocks as long as you have the degree. That is what I see out in the marketplace and the reason I’m asking here is to get confirmation or denial of that. There are many people who went to college who are more educated than I am. There are many people who didn’t go to college who are more educated than I am. Ditto for anyone reading this post.

RT

 

[TwinTails]

You may have a good point, albiet one thats been discussed to death by many. All I can say is that the reality of the situation and the carreer we are in is one that has us all jumping through hoop after hoop.
It's not so much the degree/education they are after as much as the comfort in knowing that they are hiring someone who had the responsability and disipline to finish the degree.

How I see it anyway.

 

[TwinTails]

Nice one chief

 

[rumpletumbler]

TwinTails,

I've flown Chieftains a couple of times but only during the day. Lots of folks talk about leaning by the glow of the engine at night is that true?

chief11ac,

I would have to discuss that with a philosophy major.

RT

 

[Delta3]

I agree with the thread starter, a college education isn't everything. As the saying goes, "college is a four year frat party with a high bar tab".

Most people in society achieve great things due to ambition, hard work, and dedication that comes from their character, not a college degree.

But what are you going to do, if comapnies require it, then companies require it.

 

[profile]

Degree doesn't make you more intelligent, but, like hours, the experience will broaden your knowledge base.

I would wager that you'll change your tune once you have that piece of paper in your hand...

 

[Delta3]

Yeah, I agree that it will broaden your knowledge.

But I don't think it will make you more successful. There are tons of Richard Bransons, Bill Gates', and others out there that prove that success come from within.

 

[dmspilot00]

I don’t just think I’m more educated than most folks with a college degree are, I know that I am. There isn’t a shred of doubt about it.

There are many people who went to college who are more educated than I am.

Give me a break. Having no education means you are uneducated!! In your case, it shows: you just contradicted yourself.

Originally posted by Delta3
I agree with the thread starter, a college education isn't everything. As the saying goes, "college is a four year frat party with a high bar tab".

Excuse me, but there is a huge difference between people who have degrees that were given to them after sliding and slacking their way through a lackluster college and going to a good school and working hard for good grades.

Believe it or not there are some people in this world who actually want to go to college just for the sake of learning. In my experience, the people who decide not to go to college make this decision because they are unintelligent, and it is the people who are already intelligent that decide to go to college.

 

[rumpletumbler]

dmspilot00,

Are you saying that you are so ignorant that you are incapable of learning on your own? If you don’t have a college syllabus you are helpless to learn anything? I'm assuming that unless by osmosis you haven’t picked up an ounce of education since you graduated. That must be the problem! Everyone I’m around has been out of college for a while and they are growing dumber by the minute. You must start a refresher course for those folks out there who don’t realize they are incapable of learning without being in a classroom setting. That isn’t an abbreviation for dumb a** pilot is it?

RT

 

[MetroSheriff]

Rumpletumbler,



Coming from the military (a good environment for a case study between those who have a degree and those who don't) I can tell you flat out that there is a significant difference between the overall intelligence of "Officers (all have college degrees) compared to "enlisted soldiers (who mostly do not have degrees). It's night and day, my friend. And you can't fight it.



Timp

You ought to try walking a mile in an elisted man's shoes. You may rethink the "intelligence of officer's" statement. Not all LT's make the staff officer ranks, for good reason. That being that some of them are morons.

You should watch the elitest generalization. Some of us enlisted so we could afford to pay for college. Excuse us for not being born with a silver spoon in our mouth....Sir.

 

[Dep676]

Just because one has a degree doesn't make him a smart man. There are plenty of people as mentioned above that have gone far in life. They have more money and success than they know what to do with it. Especially in aviaiton the degree doesn't make you fly the plane any better. If you can't fly you may as well use your degree for toilet paper.

Yes I went to college and I only have a 2 year degree. So I guess that makes me a less of a person. Next if my grammar is up to everyones par. That was my worst subject in school and I hated it. So I will save you all the smart A$$ comments. Because we all know that someone with a 4- year degree is far more superior than me with my 2-year degree. I forget you fly sooooooooo much better with a 4-year degree. So I think you can get my opinion on a 4-year degree. Not bashing anyone with a 4-year degree just sick of getting pushed aside because I don't have one.

 

[tdvalve]

Well said Sheriff!

I've got a degree and i was both enlisted and commissioned. The O's typically are better educated, but I doubt very much if they're any smarter than the E's. Apparently, something was lacking during Timp's study if he really believes that education is a measure of intelligence.

 

[rumpletumbler]

MetroSheriff,

I thought I had disclaimed my statement adequately but evidently not. I wasn't saying that everyone that is an enlisted man was a zero. I have no military experience and therefore can only quote what I've been told. I tried to say that I didn't think this held true across the board and had nothing personally against enlisted folks. If that didn't come across then sorry. I certainly don't want to or have desire to offend the people who defend the country I live in. While all the college boys are out on the back nine they are the ones laying on the ground with their intestines in their hands and I certainly have a great deal of respect for that.

RT

 

[CXAV8]

College

Why stop at a college degree, who needs a high school degree.
Or for that matter do you really need an ATP to be an airline pilot. These are measuring sticks. Without a degree you are at a disadvantage before the interview starts.
P.S. I'm the smartest guy in the world just ask me. HAHA

 

[checkessential]

Any person who asserts that college is a waste of time, or not necessary in this century, is a fool. And those who think they are the next Richard Branson, well... give us a break. To get a good job, with a reputable firm, you must have a formal education. Unless of course you have already secured financing for your new A340 fleet...

You can argure the merit of higher education all day long, but the smart employer knows the truth. Just look at the statistics. Or if you haven't had that class... read the handwriting on the wall...

 

[bart]

Please don't waste your time

The market is competitive enough. Please dont get your degree, that way my resume moves one slot closer to the top of the stack.

 

[rumpletumbler]

But I want to get my degree! How about a degree in agriculture. I can explain that I might know better which field to land in. etc.

RT

 

[Dep676]

I think a degree is a good idea 2 or 4-year. Why does it have to be a deciding matter in aviation though? I would think hours and ratings should weigh in more than rather the person as a degree or not. Again the degree as no bearing on how well the person can fly. There have been a lot of times when the more qualified person as far as flight time is passed up. Just because the lack of education. So I suppose that they person with a 4-year degree and less time and ratings is a better pilot. I don't understand the thinking behind this. Again I am not saying not to get a degree. Just that everybody should have fair chance based on there flight experience not there college degree. Isn't that what we all are trying to do, FLY? Not who had a better GPA or who drank more beer with their frat brothers. And yes my GPA was 3.80 before someone has any comments about that. I will save you the energy from typing your snide remarks.

 

[MetroSheriff]

But I want to get my degree! How about a degree in agriculture. I can explain that I might know better which field to land in. etc.

RT

Now that one I like!!!!

 

[rumpletumbler]

AHHH HAAAAAAAAAAAA! Experience not college! So you agree with me

RT

 

[checkessential]

For the uninitiated, when an airline hires someone, they are not looking for the next Red Baron. They hire someone who shows a record of education and self improvement. If the person has a history of progressive education and achievement, that person will most likely do well in that airline's training program. It's that simple. United couldn't care less if you're the hottest stick around or not, they plan on teaching you how to do it, their way. Seems dumb, but it isn't. And for those who feel that they are being unfairly pushed out of the way for not having a degree, go get one. Then see how you feel about it....

 

[CXAV8]

Head in sand.

Try to get quality experience without a degree. Then try and pay your mortage on your C-310 wages. Without a degree your career options will be very limited. It's very tough to get to the top. Your trying with one hand behind your back.

 

[rumpletumbler]

I never said I didn't want one. The question was do I have to have one. My choice if I get one would be something I could do at home preferably. Are there degree programs out there that you can do via online classroom or other methods at home etc. that are not dissed so to speak by the aviation community? I mean you have books, subject matter, tests. Why do I need to drive 60 miles each way and smell other peoples farts for 3 hours 3 times a week when I can do it at home? Or is that part of it? RT, by my calculations you've smelled approximately 72,456 farts over the last 3 years. You've made it! Welcome to the club.

RT

 

[Dep676]

Let's see

I have a good friend that is making more than most captains at the regional level and most of the new guys at the majors. He has no degree at all and he is making well in to 60's or 70's flying a DA 2000. And he has only been there a little over a year. There are plenty of guys at the same company making over 6 figures. And I also fly with a guy that makes in the 80's plus he gets a company car every few years. He also gets a 20% bonus every year that's 16,000 smackers for all you "educated people". They both of have way better quality of life than any airline educated person. So I guess you better run out an get your 4-year degree so can fly a RJ for 20,000 a year. That's after you spend all the well spent money on your degree. So you can live in a box and eat government cheese. Just so you can dream of getting to the majors some day and get furloughed.

 

[checkessential]

No need to get moody. At the right regional, you can have a pretty stable career, along with nice travel benefits. Other jobs have their advantages also. As to whether or not you are subject to furlough, that is luck of the draw. An industry as dynamic as this one, has no sure bets. Just good guesses. But should you get furloughed, having a degree can secure a good living in another line of work. Including agriculture. No joke.